How Much Does it Cost to Build a Wood Storage Shed?

Common Range: $25 – $65 / Per Square Foot

National Average: $38 / Per Square Foot, Installed

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Updated: February 9, 2024. Written by: Steve Hansen

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Wooden Storage Shed Cost Range

The cost range per square foot for a basic wooden storage building with one door and one window is between $25 to $65 per square foot, installed. The cost varies depending on a number of factors, including the size of the storage building, the location it’s built in your yard, and any additional features or utilities.

Average Cost Ranges

The average cost to have a wooden storage shed built is $38 per square foot of floor space with full size, 8′ tall side walls. For an 8′ X 12′ storage building with 8′ walls, that comes out to around around $3,650, built by a local contractor, handyman or fence company. If you build the same 8′ x ’12 foot shed yourself, it would cost around $2,750 since you can save around $900 on labor cost.

Average Do It Yourself Cost
$20 – $25 / Square Foot (Materials Only)
Average Contractor Cost
$38 / Square Foot Installed
Typical Cost Range
$25 – $65 / Square Foot

8x12 wooden storage shed in backyard

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Overview of Wooden Sheds and Storage Buildings

Wooden storage sheds can be built to nearly any size a homeowner wants as long as it is within the guidelines of their local ordnances. Since wood storage buildings are a stick-built structure, or framed from lumber, they typically fall within common sizes that are either equal to the standard lengths of dimensional lumber, or have the ability to make the most use of longer lengths of dimensional lumber to save money on materials.

DIY and pro construction are two options based on your own skill level, and some can be purchased prebuilt, or built offsite, then they can be moved onto your property and put in the exact spot you want it. Home improvement stores also sell wood storage building kits that you or a pro assemble.

This Costimate includes pricing per square foot, cost of different size wooden sheds, plus other cost factors that will help you closely estimate what your price will be. Wood framed shed costs from other online estimate sites are included.

Wood Storage Shed Cost Factors

There are obvious cost factors and a few that you might not have considered.

  • Shed Size – Sheds start at about 4’x8’ for simple garden sheds or 8’x8′ for small storage sheds and she-sheds, but they can be much larger depending on the purpose of the shed you decide to build. Cost per square foot drops as the size of your storage building goes up. View common shed sizes and costs
  • Wall Height – 8’ walls are standard, but 9’ and 10’ walls offer increased overhead storage for a little more money.
  • Shed Roof Type – A standard gable roof is the most affordable. Gambrel roofs, Dutch, saltbox and other styles might raise the cost slightly due to more material and labor in the trusses.
  • Siding on the Shed – Most wood storage sheds are sided with treated plywood, T1-11 or similar. If you upgrade to cedar siding, price will go up by 25% or more.
  • Shed Windows – We priced the door with a single window. Additional windows are extra.
  • Storage Shed Floors – Sheds can be set on gravel with no floor, framed plywood floors on gravel or piers, or concrete pads which are the most costly. If you plan to build a very large storage shed, you may even need to have footings and a slab foundation installed.
  • Where it’s Built – The most common place to build a shed is in your backyard. If the yard is unlevel, you’ll need to do a bit of work to assure the shed is built on a level surface. Additionally, if you have a fence up, it may need to have a panel removed in order to get the building materials close to the building site.
  • Electricity and/or Utilities – Running power to the shed will cost $100 to more than $1,000. It also requires permitting. If you want water service in your shed, prepare to pay an extra $1,000 or more for a plumber to run a water line and drain system back to your sewer or septic system.
  • Overhead Storage – Laying sheets of OSB or plywood on the trusses will increase cost by $25 to $200 for most sheds.
  • Who Builds or Assembles It – You’ll save labor costs by DIY or by assembling a kit. Professionally built sheds, whether built onsite or offsite and transported a short distance to your property cost about the same.
  • Cost of Living – Professional labor is consistent with the cost of living in your area. It’s higher on the Coasts and in major metro areas than it is in rural areas and small towns.
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Cost of Wood Materials and Installation Supplies

Wood and building supplies for a new storage shed typically costs between $12 to $20 per square foot, not including the installation or labor cost. The factors below will help you estimate your supplies cost based on the size and features you’re planning.

Here are basic material cost per square foot based on shed size. Labor cost is discussed below.

  • $16 – $20 per square foot | 4’x8′ to 8’x8′ sheds
  • $14 – $18 per square foot | 10’x10′ to 10’x24′ sheds
  • $12 – $16 per square foot | 12’x12′ to 12’x30′ sheds
  • $10 – $14 per square foot | 16’x16′ to 16’x32′ sheds

Added Shed Features and Costs

  • $250 – $1,000 or more | Electric wiring installation cost, based on number of lines, lights and outlets. This includes permits and inspection costs, and the high end of pricing is to have a licensed electrician handle the electrical installation.
  • $200 – $1,000 or more | To bring running water into your storage building, as well as setting up a drain in either a small septic tank or connecting it to your existing plumbing.
  • $3 – $6 per square foot | 6” gravel foundation (optional).
  • $7.50 – $12 per square foot | 4” concrete slab (optional).
  • $35 to $200 per window | Single-pane shed windows based on their size and type.
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Average Cost of Wood Storage Sheds by Common Sizes

It’s nearly impossible to list every storage shed size and factor in all of the features for each of those sizes. In this section, we’ll share the most common wood shed sizes and features, to give you an idea of the price you’ll pay for yours.

Small Wood Sheds, She Sheds and Garden Sheds

Small sheds like purpose built she-sheds and garden tool sheds are typically on the smaller side, affordable and easiest to build. All sheds we share in this price range have 1 window, 1 single or double door, and 6′ to 8′ tall walls. They are built on a 2″ x 6″ framed wooden floor with a 1/2″ plywood subfloor and support blocks.

Small Shed Sizes | Average Cost Installed

  • 4′ x 8′ Shed | $1,310
  • 6′ x 8′ Shed | $1,824
  • 6′ x 10′ Shed | $2,280
  • 8′ x 8′ Shed | $2,432
  • 8′ x 10′ Shed | $3,040
  • 8′ x 12′ Shed | $3,650

Midsize Wooden Storage Sheds, Tool and Yard Equipment Sheds

Midsize storage sheds are perfect for your yard equipment, lawn tractors, yard tools, and storing whatever you want to keep but have nowhere to store it elsewhere. Sheds in this range have 2 barn-style side by side doors, at least 1 window, 6′ to 8′ tall walls, and are more likely to have a ramp at the entrance to allow loading of lawnmowers and other yard tools that are on wheels. These size storage buildings have a stronger 2″ x 8″ wooden framed floor built on foundation blocks, and a 3/4″ plywood subfloor capable of holding the weight of a lawn tractor.

Midsize Shed Sizes | Average Cost Installed

  • 8′ x 14′ Storage Shed | $4,260
  • 8′ x 16′ Storage Shed | $4,480
  • 10′ x 12′ Storage Shed | $4,220
  • 10′ x 14′ Storage Shed | $4,900
  • 10′ x 16′ Storage Shed | $5,520

Large Wood Storage Buildings, Work Shop Buildings

Large storage buildings are a bit more costly since you’ll very likely have electric service inside of a building this size, since you’ll probably need lighting just to see what is inside. These larger buildings also include a set of double-doors on the front or side, 2-4 windows, and some larger sized units may have a garage door installed. All storage buildings in this section have a poured concrete floor instead of wood and include permits and inspection fees.

Large Storage Building and Workshop Sizes | Average Cost Installed | Price Range Based on Features

  • 10′ x 20′ Storage Building | $9,600
  • 10′ x 24′ Storage Building | $11,700
  • 12′ x 20′ Storage Building | $11,700
  • 12′ x 24′ Storage Building | $13,860
  • 12′ x 28′ Storage Building | $16,025
  • 14′ x 20′ Storage Building | $13,560
  • 14′ x 24′ Storage Building | $16,020
  • 14′ x 30′ Storage Building | $19,800
  • 16′ x 16′ Storage Building | $12,420
  • 16′ x 20′ Storage Building | $15,320
  • 16′ x 24′ Storage Building | $18,180
  • 16′ x 30′ Storage Building | $22,500
  • 20′ x 20′ Storage Building | $18,900
  • 20′ x 24′ Storage Building | $22,520
  • 20′ x 28′ Storage Building | $26,100
  • 20′ x 30′ Storage Building | $27,900
  • 20′ x 40′ Storage Building | $36,900

Permits, Inspection, and Labor Costs

You should check local requirements to see if you need a permit or inspection. If you live in an area with an HOA you should check your bylaws, since they may have specific requirements on size, colors, siding materials, etc.

Permit and Inspection Costs

  • $0 – $250 | Building a small shed without electrical doesn’t require a permit. Size varies, but sheds above about 160 sq. ft. require permit. Adding electricity or water service will likely require a separate permit regardless of shed size.

Installation Labor Cost

Pros are hired to build wooden sheds from scratch or to assemble a wood shed kit.

  • $60 – $125 per hour | Cost to hire a carpenter and helper to build a shed.
  • $40 – $75 per hour | Cost to hire a handyman service with a crew of 2 to assemble a shed.

Shed Building or Installation Time

Here’s what the time frame will look like for pros working full-time on your shed project.

  • 1/2 to 1 Day | Prepare the site and pour concrete or install gravel
  • 1 – 3 days | Construct and roof a shed up to 12’x24′ depending on actual size of the shed and number in the crew.
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DIY or Hire a Pro

Many homeowners build wood storage sheds. A mostly level area must be selected, or at least have the ability to make the shed level with blocks and not have a large step into the building. The topsoil is removed, and a foundation of gravel or concrete is installed and leveled. The shed is built on the foundation per the plans. The best results are always achieved by DIYers with good experience in the basics of building, planning the job, reading plans and instructions, measuring the wood materials, understanding how to square and level walls, using power tools, fitting doors and windows, etc.

In short, we do not recommend building a shed for first-time DIYers. Even assembling a shed from a kit can have its challenges. Though the pieces are pre-cut, the directions can be difficult to follow, and a range of tools must be used.

Electrical and/or plumbing work is of more concern due to the risk involved. This is especially true if you’ll be installing a circuit or two in the electrical panel dedicated to the shed. It’s not uncommon to DIY a shed and hire an electrician to wire it and have a plumber come in to provide water and drains.

One of the biggest factors is time. Homeowners rarely work as quickly as the pros. Do you have 10-40 hours to dedicate to the project?

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Reviewed and edited by Steve Hansen of Costimates

steve hansen of costimates-sm Steve Hansen, that's me, the Senior Editor of Costimates. (Learn more about myself and our team) I'm an avid home improvement professional with more than 37 years experience working on all types of residential new home building, upfits, repairs and remodeling.

"Like most homeowners, I was frustrated with the lack of quality information available on specific home improvement repairs and renovations. In 2015, Costimates was formed to help homeowners learn as much as possible about various projects and their costs so they could make better financial decisions."